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OPEN: To see a perfect forest through so many splintered trees
WHO: Nathaniel Howe and visitors
WHAT: Nathaniel's rocky convalescence in the weeks after the defeat of Vengeance.
WHEN: Justinian 19-Solace 17
WHERE: Skyhold healing tents + Camp Shady
NOTES: Illness/fever, blunt trauma to the chest, close brush with death. Options inside.
WHAT: Nathaniel's rocky convalescence in the weeks after the defeat of Vengeance.
WHEN: Justinian 19-Solace 17
WHERE: Skyhold healing tents + Camp Shady
NOTES: Illness/fever, blunt trauma to the chest, close brush with death. Options inside.
Shallow Breaths - Justinian 20-28
Nathaniel is in and out of consciousness for the first few days. There are many breaks in his sternum and ribs, and some sort of bruise on his lungs. Something of that sort. The point, to him, is that he can hardly breathe. The healers have him sleeping on the wounded part of his chest every night, and despite the pain, it does seem to help him breathe without fighting against gravity. Abrasions and burns are healed quickly, but the bones are taking time to mend even with magic, and the cartilage is damaged for good. His face is white, his lips bloodless, his eyes dazed when you come to visit. Speaking is laborious, but he will try.
Peak - Justinian 29-30
For a time, Nathaniel seems to be getting better. The pain is lessened, and he is conscious more often. He is also hungry, eating everything offered to him and practically licking the plates clean. It's less difficult to breathe, though deep breaths are all but impossible. For all appearances though, the worst is behind him.
Fever - Solace 1-5
Weak lungs develop pneumonia even as the bones are on the mend. The coughing is weak, but the wet sound of it is unmistakable. Three days in, Nathaniel suffers delirium, muttering inanely and sometimes writhing in pain. It's impossible to sleep long in this state, though he never seems awake. His face is grey, and at his worst, he is too weak even to speak or move, but watches the world through half-lidded eyes, helpless but to see the things that his mind creates.
The next day, he is lucid again, though still feverish and desperately weak. That night, he falls asleep and doesn't wake until morning. His fever breaks the next day.
Awakening - Solace 6-12
Breathing is labored still, but there is a light in his eyes now. He can take visitors and have a conversation, but not for too long. He still can't leave the cot, but he slowly starts to sit up a little more, and his appetite is coming back quickly. Sleeping through the night now speeds his recovery.
Recovery - Solace 13-16
These days Nathaniel is taking slow, short walks, each day with more exercise and less support than the last. He has trouble with shortness of breath, and pain in the tendons of his ribs when he moves too much, but he is determined to get out of here. Color is returning to his face. His feet and hands are swollen from so little exercise early on, but the swelling goes down as his circulation improves. When he is not exercising, he is permitted to sit outside on a nice day, drinking in the sun and breathing the clear air.
Home - Solace 17
Today, Nathaniel is sufficiently recovered that he may spend the remainder of his convalescence in his own bed in the Warden camp. He requires help getting down there, but once he's there, there's a triumphant smile on his drawn face. Lady, his miniature mabari, yaps excitedly and kisses his face when he lies down in his own bed. And snuggles hard against him, and growls at anyone who disturbs him when he sleeps.
But now Nathaniel is well enough to be restless. Late at night, he wakes and steps outside, wrapped in blankets and watching the stars.
Solace 10
When he does make it in, he remains quiet and nods hello in greeting. He's brought a book, something he finds thrilling, but guaranteed to make any sane and recovering soul fall asleep for some much needed rest: a book of sermons by Divine Somethingorother the Third. He's trying anyway.
"I was beginning to wonder if your healer didn't have designs on you. Everyone's been kept out."
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"I had the winter fever. My healer didn't want it to spread." There's an appropriately-timed cough. "It's good to see you."
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He's pretty certain the last thing either of them want is an upset Delilah here, but if things are as serious as they appear, she probably ought to at least have a letter.
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Mention of Vengeance does cause him to pause and ask with slow caution, "Did it work?" Most of the other rituals have had some sort of side effect. Given the condition of his friends involved in this latest one, Aleron cannot fathom anyone surviving another attempt.
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"Not the ideal way, but Anders is no longer possessed. But it was Vengeance, not Justice, when it was separated from him. It had to die."
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"I concur. If it truly had turned demon, it had to be excised. You've done a remarkable thing." It's not often at all that demons are removed from their hosts. Attempts aren't even made usually because the casualties that arise from the trying are too high. Fewer lives are lost putting down one. "I'd expect scholars of magic and doctrine to hound you with questions for the next few decades. Glad to have kept you alive for that excitement."
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To be fair, if there is any truth to that thought, it would be to the benefit of all to find out. The Seekers are beholden to the Divine but they do have a responsibility to ferret out the truth behind extreme magical instances, not just disciplining Templars gone rogue. Investigating further into what happened here might be both prudent, and necessary, though not at this moment. There will be time for it later, once everyone is fighting fit again. Now is not the time to be peppering the injured with an excess of questions.
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Nathaniel's eyes slide shut briefly. He is weary.
"Write to Delilah, but send it to Highever. That is where she is staying, under Fergus' protection. Thank you, my friend."
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It's impossible to miss that Nathaniel is growing tired and a very irate 'Ahem' from the healer rather confirms it. Time to let him rest and recover. The book brought is held out for the taking, something to while away the hours.
"I'll see it done. You see to the business of healing. There is something I mean to ask you once you don't look like you've tangled with a herd of druffalo."
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